Cyber Security Certification Program

Introduction

As cyberspace and its underlying infrastructure are vulnerable to a wide range of risk stemming from both physical and cyber threats and hazards, cyber security has been attracting increasing attention in both academia and industry these days. This 17-credit (5 courses) cyber security certificate program is to have our students get familiar with this field, and better prepared for future education and work requirements. This program will begin from Fall 2018 semester.

Prepare students for a cyber security career track within computer science program.

Requirements

Any students (person) can pursue this certificate program if they have the knowledge of basic mathematics.

However, the requirements for completing the program are determined based on students’ background. After reviewing the students’ background, the head of the certificate program will determine the level of students. Students must achieve a grade of C or better in all prerequisite and certificate courses.

Level #1

Students with no computer science background need to complete 2 prerequisite courses (COSC 1430 and COSC 2430) and 5 certificate program courses to earn the certificate.

Level #2

Students with programming experience need to complete the 5 certificate program courses to earn the certificate.

Level #3

Students who have taken similar courses of our certificate program courses need to take our leveling class test for evaluation. Those who pass the test only need to take 3 courses (COSC 4370, COSC 4375, COSC 4470), while those who fail the test still need to take all 5 certificate program courses.

Level #4

Students from UTPB computer science program only need to take 3 courses (COSC 4370, COSC 4375, COSC 4470) to earn the certificate.

Related courses and course schedule

This is a 17-credit (5 courses) cyber security certificate program. It is designed for 2 semester (one year) program if a student starts from the fall semester. The related courses include:

2 Prerequisite Program Courses

Introduction to Computer Science I (4 credits, COSC 1430)

Introduction to Computer Science II (4 credits, COSC 2430)

5 Certificate Program Courses

C Programming (4 credits, COSC 2420)

Digital Computer Organization (3 credits, COSC 3310)

Data Communication (3 credits, COSC 4370)

Intro to Computer Security (3 credits, COSC 4375)

Applied Network Security (4 credits, COSC 4470)

Please refer to the Requirement section for the course you need to take to earn this cyber security certificate.

Implementation

With current COSC teaching resources, we are able to offer the following courses every fall semester.

C Programming (4 credits, COSC 2420)

Digital Computer Organization (3 credits, COSC 3310)

Data Communication (3 credits, COSC 4370)

The following courses in the spring semester only.

Intro to Computer Security (3 credits, COSC 4375)

Applied Network Security (4 credits, COSC 4470)

Thus, if a student starts this program from the fall semester, a student is able to complete this program in two semesters assuming that a student has the knowledge of high level computer programming language and basic mathematics such as college algebra.